Sleep Easy 2018 Appeal

Homelessness is on the increase (rough sleeping has seen an annual rise of 15%; 169% increase since 2010), and there is an ever-growing demand for accommodation with support to help people out of the cycle of homelessness.

In 2016, over 13,000 people aged 16-24 were accepted as homeless across England. However, many young people who become estranged from their families would not show up in any statistics, making the true scale of youth homelessness difficult to estimate. Rough sleeping across England has continued to rise and those working with the homeless locally have observed a worrying increase across Cheltenham and Gloucester.

At YMCA Cheltenham we provide over 50,000 bed places per year for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness, giving a range of support through our own team of specialist workers. Our team is on hand providing 24-hour support for our residents, many of whom have complex needs. Our residents are given help to develop their own, individual support plan, and are encouraged to access a range of activities designed to help them become independent and reach their full potential.

A growing problem

Homelessness has been growing and if current predictions are to be believed, the problem is not going to disappear any time soon. We need your support to enable us to continue to provide a safe home and hope for the future to every one who needs it. We want to ensure that no one in Gloucestershire is forced to sleep rough and we know that with your help we can achieve this dream, growing our services in line with the growing trend in homelessness, and providing support to everyone who needs it.

How can you help?

On Friday 9th March 2018, YMCA Cheltenham will be holding Cheltenham's 6th annual Sleep Easy event, part of a nationwide campaign by the YMCA where people across the country sleep rough for one night to raise money for their local YMCA. You can book a place for Sleep Easy 2018 HERE(scroll down to the bottom of the Event page and find 'Book a place').

Alternatively if you would like to make a donation you can help us towards our target by clicking ‘Donate’ on the right hand side of the page.

YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to, our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.